Economy, Collaboration and Diplomacy in Space Sector

Space Technology, over the years, has seen tremendous growth in multitude than originally envisaged. According to ISRO, many Non-Government-Private-Entities (NGPEs) in India have started engaging in space activities that are contributing to the growth trajectory with huge commercial potential. ‘Space Economy, Space Collaboration and Space Diplomacy’ are going to be the founding stone of the foreseeable future of the world economy and technology. Referring to the space economy while inaugurating North India’s first-ever space centre in Jammu, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that India is already receiving revenue worth millions of Euros and US Dollars through the launching of foreign satellites.

The Global Space Sector is thriving. Over 65 countries have operated at least one satellite. Political and economic capital being invested in the space environment by governments and commercial entities is at record levels. Global Space Economy comprises the space industry’s core activities in-space manufacturing and in satellite operations, including others. The growing public-private factors contribute to the Space economy by providing space-related outputs, space derived products and services and the scientific knowledge arising from space research. The main segments of the space economy include manufacturing, services from satellite operators and consumer services.

At present India accounts for only about 2% of the space economy. With policy interventions in the right direction and public-private partnerships in the Indian space sector, India can capture a larger share of the global space economy. The budget allocation to these sectors is growing year after year. This year, the Department of Space has been allocated a whopping Rs 13,700 crores in the annual budget, Rs 7,456.60 crores of which is earmarked for capital expenditure. ISRO is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 219.14 crores from various launch activities in the year 2022-23, under its commercial wing NewSpaxe India Limited (NSIL). According to Budget, the Department of Space, between the years 2022 and 2023, plan to transfer 30 technologies for social, commercial ad other objectives.

A look at the numbers suggests that startups in the space sector have crossed a total number of 100, of which 47 were established in 2021. In 2019, only 11 new startups were added to the sector. According to the Economic Survey Report – 2022, as many as 47 new start-ups entered the Indian space sector in 2021, taking the tally to 101. More than 50 start-ups are working in the space sector and about 10 of them have funding of over Rs 50 crore or more, individually.

The government recently updated the SpaceCom and SpaceRS policies, liberalising the traditional satellite communication and remote sensing sectors. Under various space tech initiatives, the independent nodal agency IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) has received close to 40 proposals from large industries, MSMEs, Startups. These proposals will be responsible for covering a broad range of activities including – launch vehicle and satellite manufacturing, Earth Observation Application, communications etc. Last year, Agnikul and Skyroot, two space-based startups signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with ISRO with the view to access facilities and expertise in developing and testing Space Launch Vehicle subsystems and systems.

These examples indicate the intervention of private players in the space sector and hence, the far-reaching reforms in the space sector are aimed at boosting private sector participation in the entire range of space activities. This spur in economic activities is surely going to open doors for collaboration and eventually evolve into critical tool for diplomacy – space diplomacy.

Superpowering through Care, Culture and Heritage

For human civilisation, what could lie beyond the currently unfolding 5th Industrial Revolution? Culture, and economics of Culture, are surely going to be at the core of these discussions. As India is rapidly evolving its innovation, adaptation and large scale implementation capabilities, it surely is in the spotlight as a potential steward and guide to the rest of the world due to its rich cultural heritage. India’s soft power comes out of its moral, ethical and cultural values.

It was India’s moral authority that inspired it to give shelter to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in 1959. India’s principled boycott of South Africa for its racist Apartheid policies, which Gandhi had started in late 19th century, won it respect from post-colonial states across Africa and rest of the world. In 1971, when India, despite overwhelming opposition from America and the UN, intervened in East Pakistan, which resulted in the formation of the independent state of Bangladesh, this urge came out of its moral and spiritual authority only, which it espoused and nurtured for thousands of years.

Observance of International Day of Yoga is the latest feather in India’s hat, thanks to the persistent efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre. This celebration has not only boosted Yoga’s popularity over the years, but also expanded its geographical presence by inspiring its adoption across the length and breadth of the world. Last week, Argentinian federal police decided to effectively use the techniques of Yoga for stress management of its personnel. Yoga is truly considered to be India’s greatest modern gift to the world. The Ministry of Ayush has also been striding forth to establish yoga’s curative and calming impacts and trying to integrate it with diverse disciplines in order to promote psycho-physiological well-being of the people across the globe.

When Natalie Di Luccio, an Italian-Canadian classical-crossover singer from Toronto sings Bollywood hit songs- ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ and ‘Pehla Nasha’, Luo Ping- a Chinese TV reality show Super Idol 13’s contestant sings ‘Tujh main rab dikhta hai’, a US school chorus decides to sing a superhit Tamil song ‘Balleilakka Balleilakka’ from the hit movie ‘Sivaji’ at a yearly event, Ary- a Canadian girl sings ‘Kolaveri’ sung by Tamil superstar Dhanush, a Turkish boy sings the famous ‘Awara Hoon’ song from Raj Kapoor’s movie in a reality show and when Dubai appoints Shahrukh Khan as its ambassador — they are not just an aberration or eccentricity, but adequately exemplify how India’s ever rising soft power, amply bolstered by rich and age old moral, spiritual and cultural value system, is being embraced all across the globe.

Much before Yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood and others became a craze almost across the globe, Indian spirituality had reached several countries. Buddhism spread in various countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia and other Southeast Asian and Central Asian countries more than two thousand years earlier. India’s universities continue to attract even today a large number of students from especially developing countries. Indian food is also equally popular around the world. India has an excellent track record of leveraging its culture, spiritual, educational, political values and distinct foreign policy for national objectives while taking care of the entire world with the ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

PLI Schemes for Boosting the Economy

Productivity is the operative word for leap in New India’s growth story. Lagging productivity is one obvious domain but adaptability is the biggest strength which can be utilised. Taking these two key parameters as target, Product Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have worked well in the country.

PLI schemes are aimed at enhancing competitiveness and leveraging the untapped potential of Indian industries to fulfill the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Reopening the application window for Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for White Goods has put the spotlight back on this very significant economic reform of the Government of India. The scheme has enormous potential to transform the manufacturing sector by encouraging domestic and local productions further boosting economic growth and amplifying exports. Keeping in view this vision, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an additional allocation of Rs 19,500 crore under the PLI scheme for manufacturing high-efficiency solar modules in her Union Budget 2022-23, besides committing financial support to farmers to take up agro-forestry.

Coming back to the recent initiative of the central government, in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s clarion call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ to bring manufacturing to the center stage and emphasize its significance in driving India’s growth and creating jobs, the PLI Scheme for White Goods for manufacturing of components and sub-assemblies of Air Conditioners (ACs) and LED Lights, which was approved by the Union Cabinet in April last year with an outlay of Rs 6,238 crore, was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 16 April 2021. Now, applicants were given the flexibility to choose the gestation period either up to March 2022 or up to March 2023.

The Central government also wants the states to take advantage of the PLI scheme, thanks to their relatively low labour costs and huge demographic dividend. Since all states can’t be good in all sectors, hence niche and specific areas are being suggested to excel by taking comparative cost advantage in key areas. Government support is also helping and inspiring AC manufacturers to switch over to CFL-free cooling technology, shifting to clean energy in the automobiles sector and indigenous production of magnets and electric motors.

The PLI schemes, presently in place for 14 sectors, are being implemented by the concerned ministries and departments. The PLI schemes for various sectors are helping a lot in the post-Covid industrial and economic recovery. There appears to be positive industry feedback about these schemes as textile, automotive and white goods have started giving a good sign of growth.

Leading the Democratic Way

Indian democracy is a torch bearer for modern times, and given its rich heritage, ancient and modern history, it’s story is crucial for sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future of the planet. For context, France became a part of EU more or less from an Empire status, and USA, though an old state, became true democracy only around 60 years back.

The most awaited electoral moment of this year is finally out in the open with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) all set to form its government in three, and AAP snatching Punjab from the Congress. As per the available trends, the BJP is also holding advantage in Goa. The assembly elections in these states- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa have once again amply exhibited why India is considered as the largest and most respected democracy of the world, where federal structures, democratic values and political-electoral choices and differences are always honoured.

While, in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the BJP has made a thumping victory, AAP- a political outfit not even a decade old, is all set to sweep in Punjab, its first full state to rule. Even relatively smaller states like Manipur and Goa appear to head for a clear majority so that the people of these states also relish the fruits of a stable government. Clearly, our democracy is consistently evolving and maturing with the passage of time.

The burgeoning entry and interest of women in Indian political system, coming from all sections of the society irrespective of caste, class and religion, further strengthens democratic system. The way women have voted in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and others, show they prefer peace, security, education and developments over limits and prejudices thrown upon them by some fringe forces.

As Indian democracy is celebrating ‘azaadi ka amrit mahotsav’, every citizen needs to do something towards preserving, protecting and upholding democratic values. First and foremost of them is to differentiate between ‘what is entertainment’ and ‘what is reality’. Breaking political news into byte sized packages has made it an object of entertainment rather than information for views and opinions, on the other hand sports seem to have been presented as content of strong views and opinions rather than entertainment. Self proclaimed political pundits need to engage in their trade with this basic understanding to avoid repeated failure of not judging the mood of voters correctly.